According to Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti, Australia is the only continent that has not yet detected the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
An emergency meeting has been called by Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek for state and territory environment ministers on Oct. 18 to address the potential threat of bird flu.
This meeting comes after pressure from conservation groups and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government, as Australia prepares for the possible arrival of the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5.
ACT Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti raised concerns about the impact of the virus on wildlife and called for national leadership on the issue on Sept. 11.
In response, Minister Plibersek confirmed that the meeting would bring together environment ministers and their agricultural counterparts to develop a strong response strategy to the bird flu threat.
Minister Vassarotti emphasized the importance of being prepared for the potential threat posed by the H5N1 strain, as Australia has not yet detected it on its shores.
The Epoch Times reached out to Minister Tanya Plibersek’s office for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
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The federal agriculture department has been leading Australia’s preparations for the outbreak, with input from Minister Plibersek’s department. However, concerns have been raised by the Invasive Species Council that the focus has been primarily on protecting poultry industries, potentially overlooking wildlife.
One of the main issues at the upcoming meeting will be identifying and prioritizing wildlife species most vulnerable to the virus, which could arrive with migratory birds at any time. Jack Gough, advocacy director at the Invasive Species Council, highlighted the need for wildlife authorities to make tough decisions on which species to protect when the virus reaches Australia.
Minister Plibersek’s department has also been in discussions with the U.S. and New Zealand on vaccination strategies, drawing lessons from their experiences.
“We are exploring the potential use of vaccines in Australia, including for threatened species,” she wrote in a letter. However, she noted that vaccinating wildlife may not always be feasible, and alternative measures to strengthen wildlife resilience are also being considered.
Despite these efforts, the $7 million allocated for bird flu prevention has been criticized by the Invasive Species Council, which argues that more funding is needed.
“In comparison, $66 million was allocated for African Swine Fever preparations in 2019,” Gough pointed out. “A similar level of investment is required here.”
Bird Flu Status in Australia
While Australia has not detected H5 avian influenza within its borders, the risk is increasing as migratory birds from affected regions start to arrive.
Although bird flu outbreaks have had devastating effects on wildlife populations in other countries, Australia is focusing on preventive measures such as monitoring migratory routes and assessing the susceptibility of native species.
AAP contributed to this article
